Brownfield Ag Newshttp://brownfieldagnews.com News from America's largest agriculture radio networkTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:34:56 +0000en-UShourly1http://users.feedblitz.com/29f801da31418e00b2aaeaed8652b195/Brownfield%20O%20no%20background.pngBrownfield Ag Newshttp://brownfieldagnews.com
http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/missouri-legislature-passes-omnibus-ag-bill/Missouri legislature passes Omnibus Ag Billhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88030443/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Missouri-legislature-passes-Omnibus-Ag-Bill/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88030443/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Missouri-legislature-passes-Omnibus-Ag-Bill/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:30:06 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125167An agriculture bill containing many provisions for Missouri farmers and ranchers is on its way to the governor. Among other things, the omnibus ag bill increases weight limits for grain trucks, allows for a vote on a state Beef Checkoff and protects livestock operators that are open to the public from frivolous lawsuits. Senate Sponsor Brian Munzlinger,... Read more »

An agriculture bill containing many provisions for Missouri farmers and ranchers is on its way to the governor.

Among other things, the omnibus ag bill increases weight limits for grain trucks, allows for a vote on a state Beef Checkoff and protects livestock operators that are open to the public from frivolous lawsuits.

Senate Sponsor Brian Munzlinger, a farmer himself, says all the provisions are equally important, “It’s really hard to say one thing more than another – It’s just a very important bill for agriculture.”

Mike Deering, executive vice president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, says expanding the state’s equine liability waiver to include all livestock operations is a big one. For example, he tells Brownfield Ag News, “If I had a member who invited a bunch of fourth graders over to their farm to get a better sense of what agriculture is all about in the state and one of them decides to go pet the bull and runs away and gets hurt – that family farmer should not be put out of business because of that.”

Deering says the livestock liability waiver is modeled after a bill passed in Arkansas.

Governor Jay Nixon has said he would sign the omnibus ag bill because it doesn’t contain the provision he didn’t like last year having to do with deer management. Nixon vetoed a bill WITH the deer provision in it last year.

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A pretty strong finish to the month in the dairy markets. Cash cheese barrels gained 3.5 cents, blocks added 1.5 cents and butter increased 3.25 cents on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Class III futures responded with April up 7 cents, May increased 11 cents, the June contract added 16 cents and October was up 26 cents for the day.

A day of mixed emotions for European dairy producers. After 30 years, EU milk production quotas end at midnight. Some welcome the opportunity to modernize, expand and better compete on the global market. Others oppose the move fearing it will result in a rapid growth in milk production in a market already facing oversupply.

Under the quota system, producers were limited in the amount of milk they could produce facing stiff penalties for exceeding the quota. There are reports that a number of dairy producers have been withholding milk from the market for the past few days waiting to move it once the quotas expire. The Irish Independent says some farmers have been gearing-up production for April 1st and have had to dump milk or feed extra calves to avoid penalties. The report says; “Fleets of trucks will be standing in yards tonight ready to collect supplies after midnight.” There are concerns about how processors will be able to handle the extra milk.

Some dairy producers are using their tractors to clog the streets of Brussels in protest to the end of the quotas. The farmers are demonstrating in front of EU headquarters saying the change will bring about the demise of small farms in the Union. They contend increased milk production will put further pressure on prices forcing small farms out of business. In the end, there will be fewer, larger farms.

Those who favor an end to the quota system say it will make European producers more competitive with the U.S. and New Zealand on the global market. Their argument has been that as global demand increases, the quotas have limited European production and with it the ability to supply that increased demand. There is a surplus of production on the world market right now but many believe that is a temporary situation. Another argument for dropping the quota is that there is a shortage of young farmers in Europe who want to operate the small dairies.

A number of European dairy processors have been expanding in anticipation of more milk coming. Another change, Euronext will begin offering dairy derivatives including futures and options for skim milk powder, whey powder and butter on April 13th. As part of the introduction, the exchange will waive all trading fees through June 30th.

The rest of the world is watching to see just how European producers will react. Some predict rapid increases; 20 to 50 percent in production in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Poland by the year 2020. Others question that number saying land prices and environmental regulations will hinder expansion

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88030444/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Strong-finish-for-dairy-markets/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/ducey-vetoes-arizona-animal-abuse-legislation/Ducey vetoes Arizona animal abuse legislationhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88030194/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Ducey-vetoes-Arizona-animal-abuse-legislation/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88030194/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Ducey-vetoes-Arizona-animal-abuse-legislation/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:21:01 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125161Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has vetoed a bill which would have separated farm animals from pets under the state’s animal abuse law. While the bill kept the same standards in-tact for both farm animals and pets, animal rights groups were concerned that it could lead to a weakening of standards for farm animals in the... Read more »

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has vetoed a bill which would have separated farm animals from pets under the state’s animal abuse law.

While the bill kept the same standards in-tact for both farm animals and pets, animal rights groups were concerned that it could lead to a weakening of standards for farm animals in the future. Farm groups fear anti-animal-agriculture groups could use the law to interfere in livestock production.

The bill would also require that anyone investigating animal abuse on a farm; notify the state Department of Agriculture which could choose to join the investigation. Animal rights groups say that could lead to a “tip-off” for farmers from “a friendly agency

Governor Ducey issued a statement with the veto saying; “we must ensure that all animals are protected.” He did say that he is open to working with the bill’s sponsors.

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Several agricultural organizations in Ohio are urging Ohio’s Congressional delegation to support the passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

A letter, signed by organizations representing farmers, processors and related industries in the state, emphasizes the need for greater access to foreign markets only possible through trade agreements and TPA.

In addition to the economic benefits, the letter highlights job creation as a result of robust exports. In Ohio, exports of agricultural products in 2013 totaled $4.4 billion, which generated an additional 29,000 jobs.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88030201/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Ohio-Ag-groups-send-TPA-support-letter/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/smithfield-expand-patrick-cudahy-plant/Smithfield to expand Patrick Cudahy planthttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029846/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Smithfield-to-expand-Patrick-Cudahy-plant/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029846/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Smithfield-to-expand-Patrick-Cudahy-plant/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:16:04 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125156Smithfield Foods is planning a $12 million expansion of its Patrick Cudahy plant in Milwaukee. Ground will be broken Thursday for the 17,000 square-foot expansion which will house four bacon-slicing lines. This will increase Smithfield’s bacon capacity by about 10 million pounds. The expansion should be fully-operational by December. Patrick Cudahy meatpacking dates back to... Read more »

Smithfield Foods is planning a $12 million expansion of its Patrick Cudahy plant in Milwaukee. Ground will be broken Thursday for the 17,000 square-foot expansion which will house four bacon-slicing lines. This will increase Smithfield’s bacon capacity by about 10 million pounds. The expansion should be fully-operational by December.

Patrick Cudahy meatpacking dates back to the 19th century in Milwaukee. The expansion will be in an area where a large portion of the plant was destroyed by fire in 2009. Two brothers, celebrating the 4th of July in the neighborhood, launched a military flare which landed on the roof of the plant. The fire caused $208 million in damages.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029846/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Smithfield-to-expand-Patrick-Cudahy-plant/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/acep-funds-available-indiana-farmers/ACEP funds available for Indiana farmershttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029784/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~ACEP-funds-available-for-Indiana-farmers/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029784/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~ACEP-funds-available-for-Indiana-farmers/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:11:44 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125142Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced over $330 million in funds available through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. Jane Hardisty, Indiana state conservationist says the easement program provides long-term protection for America’s farm, ranch, grass, and wetlands. She says over $3 million will be available in Indiana. “For this year, we’re receiving about $2.7 million... Read more »

She says over $3 million will be available in Indiana. “For this year, we’re receiving about $2.7 million for our wetland easement program,” she says. “And then for the agricultural land easement program portion of this we’re receiving $296,000.”

Hardisty tells Brownfield there are two components to the ACEP program. One is to continue to protect wetlands and the other is to protect ag land. “If a land owner is interested in enrolling eligible land into permanent easements or 30 year easements, they can do so,” she says. “We provide financial and technical assistance to put their land into easements that protect wetlands.”

Applications are being accepted through May 15. For more information, Hardisty says farmers should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029784/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~ACEP-funds-available-for-Indiana-farmers/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/HardistyJane.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/mfu-lobby-day-timing-little-off/MFU lobby day timing a little offhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029670/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~MFU-lobby-day-timing-a-little-off/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029670/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~MFU-lobby-day-timing-a-little-off/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:11:06 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125148As Missouri Farmers Union members gathered at the Capitol in Jefferson City today to lobby against proposed legislation they consider anti-family-farmer – the state legislature passed an omnibus ag bill the group does not like. MFU President Richard Oswald says the broad ag bill has a provision making it easier for foreign entities to own land in... Read more »

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As Missouri Farmers Union members gathered at the Capitol in Jefferson City today to lobby against proposed legislation they consider anti-family-farmer – the state legislature passed an omnibus ag bill the group does not like. MFU President Richard Oswald says the broad ag bill has a provision making it easier for foreign entities to own land in Missouri, “I think we need to quit carrying water for foreign governments and foreign corporations like Smithfield and we need to start doing more to help our own kids.” Oswald says lawmakers ought to, instead, make it easier for young people to get into farming.

His group also doesn’t like a provision in the bill to create a state Beef Checkoff program – especially now that the national Beef Checkoff appears to be doubling, “That money, I think, is not always spent in a way that’s friendly to family beef producers in Missouri.”

And, Oswald says two House bills have been introduced (HB 882 & HB999) that are “CAFO friendly” and “anti-local control,” in his words, “Because they step in the way of local county government, either county commissions or health boards, and their ability to regulate what happens in their communities.” Oswald farms in northwest Missouri.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029670/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~MFU-lobby-day-timing-a-little-off/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/wisconsin-farmers-getting-ready/Wisconsin farmers getting readyhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029637/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Wisconsin-farmers-getting-ready/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029637/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Wisconsin-farmers-getting-ready/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:09:07 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125149The first day of April has Wisconsin farmers getting a little anxious about starting field work. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor lists all of Wisconsin as “abnormally dry”, U.W. Extension Agent Matt Lippert in Wood County says it was pretty wet last fall so the heavier soils are still ok but “some concern in our... Read more »

The first day of April has Wisconsin farmers getting a little anxious about starting field work. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor lists all of Wisconsin as “abnormally dry”, U.W. Extension Agent Matt Lippert in Wood County says it was pretty wet last fall so the heavier soils are still ok but “some concern in our lighter soils.”

The light snowfall also left some of the alfalfa uncovered but Lippert says much of the state should be fine; “Really too early to tell but so far I think it should be ok.” Although there is still the risk of freezing-and-thawing in the coming weeks.

Overall, while it is not an early spring in Wisconsin, it is still better than a year ago says Lippert: “We still had snow on the ground last year at this point.” Lippert talks about the situation:

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029637/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Wisconsin-farmers-getting-ready/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Lippert-spring-2015.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/corn-wheat-lower-following-usda-numbers/Corn, wheat lower following USDA numbershttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029124/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Corn-wheat-lower-following-USDA-numbers/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029124/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Corn-wheat-lower-following-USDA-numbers/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 21:01:38 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125146 Soybeans were higher on fund and commercial buying. USDA sees this year’s planted area at a record 84.6 million acres, 1% above 2014. Quarterly stocks were up 34% on the year, but did indicate strong quarter to quarter demand. The numbers may even signal a reduction in ending stocks in April. Still, the overall... Read more »

Soybeans were higher on fund and commercial buying. USDA sees this year’s planted area at a record 84.6 million acres, 1% above 2014. Quarterly stocks were up 34% on the year, but did indicate strong quarter to quarter demand. The numbers may even signal a reduction in ending stocks in April. Still, the overall tone of soybeans is now supply bearish. Soybean meal was higher and bean oil was lower on the adjustment of product spreads.

Corn was lower on fund and commercial selling. Corn acreage is pegged at 89.2 million acres, 2% lower than a year ago, and the third straight year with a decline. Quarterly stocks for corn also indicated good quarterly demand, but were larger than what analysts’ expected and up 11% from last year. There’ still a lot up in the air regarding planting, but corn is looking at a supply bearish situation. Ethanol futures were lower.

The wheat complex was lower on fund and commercial selling. Planted area for all types of wheat was 3% below a year ago and stocks were up 6%, with slower demand. Wheat does have domestic weather concerns, especially dry conditions for the hard red winter crop, but the overall fundamentals remain bearish. According to DTN, India bought 70,000 to 80,000 tons of wheat from Australia.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88029124/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Corn-wheat-lower-following-USDA-numbers/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/agricultural-conservation-easement-program-funding/Agricultural Conservation Easement Program fundinghttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88028737/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Agricultural-Conservation-Easement-Program-funding/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88028737/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Agricultural-Conservation-Easement-Program-funding/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 20:55:01 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125140The USDA has announced $332 million in funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Jason Weller, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) says these conservation easements are an important tool. “These conservation easements are a critical tool that we use with our land trust partners, state agency partners and other conservation organizations to... Read more »

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The USDA has announced $332 million in funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

Jason Weller, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) says these conservation easements are an important tool.

“These conservation easements are a critical tool that we use with our land trust partners, state agency partners and other conservation organizations to help protect open space, habitat, but also working lands,” Weller said. “Helping maintain the integrity and the viability of the rural economy across the United States.”

In making the funding announcement, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack said there are several options available under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

“Permanent easements, 30-year easements, term easements and 30-year contracts, all designed to provide protection and assistance to preserve precious land, to ensure that it provides the opportunity to continue to have the agriculture that we enjoy in this country,” said Vilsack.

NRCS will accept ACEP applications at any time, however, applications for the current funding round must be submitted on or before May 15.

Information is available here, or at your local USDA Service Center office.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88028737/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Agricultural-Conservation-Easement-Program-funding/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Secretary-Vilsack_NRCS-Chief-Jason-Weller_ACEP-announcement.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/boxed-beef-ends-higher/Boxed beef ends higherhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88027751/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Boxed-beef-ends-higher/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88027751/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Boxed-beef-ends-higher/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 20:36:36 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125138Cattle country was very quiet on Tuesday with no bids reported. While buying interest could develop at midweek, significant trade is not expected until Thursday or Friday. Asking prices are around 167.00 to 168.00 in the South and 268.00 plus in the North. The kill totaled 109,000 head, 1,000 more than last week, but 10,000... Read more »

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Cattle country was very quiet on Tuesday with no bids reported. While buying interest could develop at midweek, significant trade is not expected until Thursday or Friday. Asking prices are around 167.00 to 168.00 in the South and 268.00 plus in the North. The kill totaled 109,000 head, 1,000 more than last week, but 10,000 smaller than last year.

Boxed beef cutout values were higher on moderate to fairly good demand and light to moderate offerings. Choice boxed beef was up 2.43 at 254.13, and select was up 1.02 at 248.63.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts were mostly 37 to 117 lower. Moderate pressure developed across the complex as pressure in the feeder cattle and the corn complex led to a lack of buyer interest despite the ability to spark increased interest in the market through the morning. Some additional positioning was seen due to the end of month and quarter. April settled 1.17 lower at 161.32, June was down .65 at 152.32.

Feeder cattle futures settled 50 to 92 lower. The futures contracts bounced higher and lower through the morning with the increased projected acreage in the USDA crop report pushing corn prices lower, and eroding buyer support in the cattle complex. The support in beef values was unable to draw additional interest back into the market. April settled .50 lower at 218.12, and May was down .55 at 216.90.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Oklahoma National Stockyards on Monday totaled 9,700 head. Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers were mostly steady. Steer and heifer calves were firm to 3.00 higher on comparable sales. Receipts were slightly higher than expected this week, however some cattle may have been slated for next week but shipped this week instead because of the Easter holiday. Feeder steers medium and large 1 averaging 817 pounds averaged 209.38 per hundredweight. 874 pound heifers brought 190.85.

Lean hogs ended the session 25 to 112 points higher. Strong end of the month buying quickly developed across the lean hog futures complex. Strong gains held, as traders continue to gain leverage from the bullish hogs and pigs report. Contracts pulled back from morning highs, which could limit follow through support heading into the end of the month. April settled 1.12 higher at 60.42 and May was .52 higher at 68.70.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade closed .12 lower at 56.47 weighted average on a carcass basis, the West is down .15 at 56.25, and the East is not reported due to confidentiality, Missouri direct base carcass meat price is steady to 1.00 lower from 50.00 to 53.00.

The pork carcass cutout value is down .03 at 68.36.

Noting that U.S. pork prices are low and Chinese prices are twice as high, trade sources are now predicting exports to China could more than double in 2015.

The hog kill on Tuesday was estimated at 426,000 head, 6,000 less than a week ago, but 15,000 more than last year.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88027751/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Boxed-beef-ends-higher/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/biosecurity-key-fighting-animal-disease/Biosecurity key to fighting animal diseasehttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88026944/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Biosecurity-key-to-fighting-animal-disease/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88026944/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Biosecurity-key-to-fighting-animal-disease/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 20:20:31 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125132In comparison to last year, this winter was fairly quiet for pork producers with the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus. Dr. Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council says they have been testing around 800 samples from farms every week. “Anywhere between 35 and 100 are positive,” she says. “Most of those appear... Read more »

In comparison to last year, this winter was fairly quiet for pork producers with the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus. Dr. Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Producers Council says they have been testing around 800 samples from farms every week. “Anywhere between 35 and 100 are positive,” she says. “Most of those appear to be in finishers or wean to finish barns and very few sow farms.”

But, even though there has been less PEDv activity this winter, Wagstrom says, it doesn’t mean producers should relax their biosecurity measures heading into the spring and summer. “What we need to do is keeping doing all the good things we’ve been doing to try and control it,” she says.

Wagstrom tells Brownfield biosecurity is also important because of some diseases the American Swine Veterinarians Association is tracking globally. “At the top of the list that we’re really concerned about is a really hot strain of pseudorabies virus in China,” she says. “We eradicated pseudorabies virus form the US many years ago. We don’t want it back.”

She says farmers need to work with their veterinarians to be prepared and diagnose unusual disease situations early to prevent them from spreading across the country.

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May corn closed at $3.76 and 1/4, down 18 and 1/4 cents
May soybeans closed at $9.73 and 1/4, up 5 and 1/2 cents
May soybean meal closed at $326.80, up $3.60
May soybean oil closed at 30.39, down 10 points
May wheat closed at $5.11 and 3/4, down 18 and 1/2 cents
Apr. live cattle closed at $161.32, down $1.17
Apr. lean hogs closed at $62.42, up $1.12
Apr. crude oil closed at $47.60, down $1.08
May cotton closed at 63.10, up 58 points
May rice closed at $10.87 and 1/2, down 24 and 1/2 cents
Apr. Class III milk closed at $15.65, up 7 cents
Apr. gold closed at $1,183.10, down $1.70
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 17,776.12, down 200.19 points

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88026905/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Closing-Grain-and-Livestock-Futures-March/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/protocol-turkey-farms-avian-flu-present/Protocol on turkey farms where avian flu is presenthttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88022614/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Protocol-on-turkey-farms-where-avian-flu-is-present/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88022614/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Protocol-on-turkey-farms-where-avian-flu-is-present/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 18:46:15 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125128Avian flu has been confirmed in three Minnesota counties and the executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association tells Brownfield once the virus infects a flock, it’s a lengthy process before that farm is able to resume production. Steve Olson says a USDA appraiser will establish a value for the turkeys and put together... Read more »

Avian flu has been confirmed in three Minnesota counties and the executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association tells Brownfield once the virus infects a flock, it’s a lengthy process before that farm is able to resume production.

Steve Olson says a USDA appraiser will establish a value for the turkeys and put together a compliance agreement and then start the depopulation process. That involves euthanizing not only the surviving birds of the infected flock, but also any other flocks that are on that farm.

He says they euthanize the birds to ensure the virus is contained. The dead birds are then composted inside the barns using two heat cycles that kills bacteria and virus. After that the building goes through a disinfectant process, then sits vacant for three to four weeks.

The first H5N2 outbreak in Minnesota was reported March 5th in Pope County, followed by Lac Qua Parle and Stearns. There have been two turkey-farm outbreaks confirmed in Missouri, one in Arkansas and one in California.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88022614/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Protocol-on-turkey-farms-where-avian-flu-is-present/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/summer-like-parts-plains/Summer-like on parts of the Plainshttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88021540/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Summerlike-on-parts-of-the-Plains/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88021540/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Summerlike-on-parts-of-the-Plains/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 18:26:51 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125126Across the Corn Belt, snow showers dot the lower Great Lakes region, where chilly weather persists. In contrast, mild, dry weather prevails west of the Mississippi River. On the Plains, dry weather and record-setting high temperatures prevail. Tuesday’s high temperature should exceed the 80-degree mark throughout the High Plains, and will top 90° in parts... Read more »

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Across the Corn Belt, snow showers dot the lower Great Lakes region, where chilly weather persists. In contrast, mild, dry weather prevails west of the Mississippi River.

On the Plains, dry weather and record-setting high temperatures prevail. Tuesday’s high temperature should exceed the 80-degree mark throughout the High Plains, and will top 90° in parts of Texas and southwestern Oklahoma. The early-season warmth favors fieldwork but is boosting winter wheat’s moisture demands.

In the South, isolated showers are developing in the lower Mississippi Valley, where most planting activities remain behind schedule. Meanwhile, mild weather is returning to the Southeast, following a weekend cold snap that threatened blooming fruit trees as far south as central Georgia.

In the West, cooler air is spreading across the Pacific Northwest, accompanied by scattered showers. Early-season warmth lingers, however, from California to the central and southern Rockies.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88021540/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Summerlike-on-parts-of-the-Plains/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/wetter-pattern-ahead-corn-belt/A wetter pattern ahead for the Corn Belthttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88019275/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~A-wetter-pattern-ahead-for-the-Corn-Belt/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88019275/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~A-wetter-pattern-ahead-for-the-Corn-Belt/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 17:45:13 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125124Warm weather will continue a gradual southeastward shift, with above-normal temperatures becoming more prominent across the South. Meanwhile, briefly cooler conditions will overspread areas from the Pacific Coast to the upper Midwest. During the mid- to late-week period, a developing storm system will produce widespread rain from the south-central U.S. into the East. Five-day precipitation... Read more »

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Warm weather will continue a gradual southeastward shift, with above-normal temperatures becoming more prominent across the South. Meanwhile, briefly cooler conditions will overspread areas from the Pacific Coast to the upper Midwest. During the mid- to late-week period, a developing storm system will produce widespread rain from the south-central U.S. into the East. Five-day precipitation totals could reach 1 to 2 inches or more from the mid-South into the Ohio Valley. Similar totals can also be expected in parts of the Northeast. Elsewhere, dry weather will prevail through week’s end from California into the Southwest, while occasional showers will continue in the Northwest.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for below-normal temperatures in the Northwest and across the nation’s northern tier from North Dakota to New England. Meanwhile, warmer-than-normal weather will cover much of the southern half of the U.S., particularly from the central and southern Plains into the Southeast. Elsewhere, near- to above-normal precipitation across the majority of the country will contrast with drier-than-normal conditions across Florida’s peninsula and from central and southern California to the central and southern High Plains.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88019275/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~A-wetter-pattern-ahead-for-the-Corn-Belt/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/u-s-grain-stocks-increase/U.S. grain stocks increasehttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88018266/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~US-grain-stocks-increase/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88018266/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~US-grain-stocks-increase/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 17:27:40 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125122 According to the USDA, U.S. corn and soybean stocks on March 1st were up sharply on the year. The quarterly usage rates do indicate strong corn and soybean demand, but that was mostly canceled out by record production in 2014. Corn stocks in all positions came out at 7.745 billion bushels, 11% larger than... Read more »

According to the USDA, U.S. corn and soybean stocks on March 1st were up sharply on the year. The quarterly usage rates do indicate strong corn and soybean demand, but that was mostly canceled out by record production in 2014.

Corn stocks in all positions came out at 7.745 billion bushels, 11% larger than a year ago and above what analysts were expecting. From December 2014 to February 2015, the indicated disappearance was 3.47 billion bushels, compared to 3.44 billion during the same period a year ago. On farm stocks were up 13% at 4.380 billion bushels and off farm stocks were 7% higher at 3.365 billion.

Soybeans were pegged at 1.334 billion bushels, a 34% year to year increase, and a little smaller than the average pre-report guess. Over the quarter, indicated disappearance was 1.19 billion bushels, 3% more than a year ago. On farm stocks jumped 60% to 609.200 million bushels and off farm supplies were up 18% at 724.522 million.

All types of wheat were reported at 1.124 billion bushels, 6% more than this time last year, and below pre-report expectations. The indicated quarterly disappearance was 405 million bushels, 3% slower than the year before. On farm stocks were 17% higher at 278.710 million bushels and off farm stocks were up 3% at 845.688 million.

Durum stocks totaled 37.622 million bushels, 1% less than a year ago. The indicated disappearance of 6.43 million bushels dropped 59% on the year. On farm stocks were 22% smaller at 16.200 million bushels and off farm stocks were 23% larger at 21.422 million.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88018266/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~US-grain-stocks-increase/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/end-era-eu-dairy-farmers/End of an era for EU dairy farmershttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88017441/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~End-of-an-era-for-EU-dairy-farmers/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88017441/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~End-of-an-era-for-EU-dairy-farmers/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 17:13:52 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125118A day of mixed emotions for European dairy producers on Tuesday. After more than 30 years, EU milk production quotas end at midnight. Some welcome the opportunity to modernize, expand and better compete on the global market. Others oppose the move fearing it will result in a rapid growth in milk production in a market already facing... Read more »

A day of mixed emotions for European dairy producers on Tuesday. After more than 30 years, EU milk production quotas end at midnight. Some welcome the opportunity to modernize, expand and better compete on the global market. Others oppose the move fearing it will result in a rapid growth in milk production in a market already facing oversupply.

Under the quota system, producers were limited in the amount of milk they could produce facing stiff penalties for exceeding the quota. There are reports that a number of dairy producers have been withholding milk from the market for the past few days waiting to move it once the quotas expire. The Irish Independent says some farmers have been gearing-up production for April 1st and have had to dump milk or feed extra calves to avoid penalties. The report says; “Fleets of trucks will be standing in yards tonight ready to collect supplies after midnight.” There are concerns about how processors will be able to handle the extra milk.

Some dairy producers are using their tractors to clog the streets of Brussels in protest to the end of the quotas. The farmers are demonstrating in front of EU headquarters saying the change will bring about the demise of small farms in the Union. They contend increased milk production will put further pressure on prices forcing small farms out of business. In the end, there will be fewer, larger farms.

Those who favor an end to the quota system say it will make European producers more competitive with the U.S. and New Zealand on the global market. Their argument has been that as global demand increases, the quotas have limited European production and with it the ability to supply that increased demand. There is a surplus of production on the world market right now but many believe that is a temporary situation. Another argument for dropping the quota is that there is a shortage of young farmers in Europe who want to operate the small dairies.

A number of European dairy processors have been expanding in anticipation of more milk coming. Another change, Euronext will begin offering dairy derivatives including futures and options for skim milk powder, whey powder and butter on April 13th. As part of the introduction, the exchange will waive all trading fees through June 30th

The rest of the world is watching to see just how European producers will react. Some predict rapid increases; 20 to 50 percent in production in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Poland by the year 2020. Others question that number saying land prices and environmental regulations will hinder expansion.

Rabobank Global Dairy Strategist Tim Hunt does not expect an explosion of production in Europe. To start with, production quotas have been ramping-up in recent years in preparation for this day. Secondly, the price of milk was so high last year it was economically viable to exceed quota and pay the fine. In addition, he thinks the cost of production and Europe and environmental regulations are going to make expansion challenging. Hunt talks about the change.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88017441/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~End-of-an-era-for-EU-dairy-farmers/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Hunt6.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/midday-cash-livestock-markets-180/Midday cash livestock marketshttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88016170/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Midday-cash-livestock-markets/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88016170/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Midday-cash-livestock-markets/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:53:00 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125116It is a typical Tuesday in cattle country with bids and asking prices still not well defined. A few showlists have been priced around 167.00 to 168.00 in the South and 266.00 to 268.00 in the North. Significant business will probably be delayed until the second half of the week. Boxed beef cutout values are... Read more »

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It is a typical Tuesday in cattle country with bids and asking prices still not well defined. A few showlists have been priced around 167.00 to 168.00 in the South and 266.00 to 268.00 in the North. Significant business will probably be delayed until the second half of the week.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Oklahoma National Stockyards on Monday totaled 9,700 head. Compared to last week, feeder steers and heifers were mostly steady. Steer and heifer calves were firm to 3.00 higher on comparable sales. Receipts were slightly higher than expected this week, however some cattle may have been slated for next week but shipped this week instead because of the Easter holiday. Feeder steers medium and large 1 averaging 817 pounds averaged 209.38 per hundredweight. 874 pound heifers brought 190.85.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade are 2.12 lower with a weighted average of 54.47 on a carcass basis, the West is down .80 at 55.60. The East and National reports are not available due to confidentiality. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is steady to 1.00 lower from 50.00 to 53.00. Midwest hogs on a live basis are steady from 33.00 to 37.00, with several interest out of the market for the week.

The pork carcass cutout value is down .38 FOB plant at 65.01.

Noting that U.S. pork prices are low and Chinese prices are twice as high, trade sources are now predicting exports to China could more than double in 2015.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88016170/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Midday-cash-livestock-markets/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/usda-expects-record-soybean-acreage-2/USDA expects record soybean acreagehttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88014186/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~USDA-expects-record-soybean-acreage/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88014186/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~USDA-expects-record-soybean-acreage/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:22:05 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125114 The USDA’s projecting record U.S. soybean acreage in 2015. U.S. soybean acreage is estimated at 84.635 million acres, up 1% from 2014, with planting intentions unchanged or higher in 21 of the 31 major producing states. Corn acreage is seen at 89.199 million acres, 2% less than last year. If realized, 2015 would be... Read more »

U.S. soybean acreage is estimated at 84.635 million acres, up 1% from 2014, with planting intentions unchanged or higher in 21 of the 31 major producing states.

Corn acreage is seen at 89.199 million acres, 2% less than last year. If realized, 2015 would be the third year in a row with an acreage reduction and potentially the lowest planted area since 2010.

All wheat acreage is pegged at 55.367 million acres, 3% lower than a year ago. Winter wheat is estimated at 40.751 million acres, down 4%, spring wheat is seen at 12.969 million acres, slightly lower, and durum is projected at 1.647 million acres, an 18% jump.

All cotton acreage is estimated at 9.549 million acres, a 13% year to year decrease. Upland planting is pegged at 9.399 million acres, down 13%, and American Pima is seen at 150,000 acres, a 22% drop.

The final 2015 U.S. corn and soybean planting numbers are out in June.

Acreage comparisons for selected crops in Brownfield states:

Illinois: Corn: 11.7 million acres, down 2% from 2014; Soybeans: 9.9 million acres, up 1% from 2014; Winter Wheat: 600,000 acres, down 19% from 2014

Indiana: Corn: 5.8 million acres, down 2% from 2014; Soybeans: 5.6 million acres, up 2% from 2014; Winter Wheat: 340,000 acres, down 13% from 2014

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A report by Illinois Ag Economist Gary Schnitkey says the shift to soybeans this year is most likely going to occur “outside of the Corn Belt.” His report, ‘Expected Corn and Soybean Returns and Shifts in Acres’ at the farmdoc daily blog also says “expected 2015 returns suggest smaller acreage shifts than in other recent years.”

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88009791/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Expected-shift-to-beans-expected-outside-Corn-Belt/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/equine-herpes-confirmed-michigan/Equine Herpes confirmed in Michiganhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88009030/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Equine-Herpes-confirmed-in-Michigan/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88009030/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Equine-Herpes-confirmed-in-Michigan/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 14:55:06 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125109Two cases of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) have been confirmed in Michigan, now the sixth state this year to lose horses to the disease. Increased horse movement in the spring means more horses are commingling which Dr. Nancy Frank, Assistant State Veterinarian of Michigan, says can stress the animal, “The horses can be infected with... Read more »

Two cases of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) have been confirmed in Michigan, now the sixth state this year to lose horses to the disease. Increased horse movement in the spring means more horses are commingling which Dr. Nancy Frank, Assistant State Veterinarian of Michigan, says can stress the animal, “The horses can be infected with it and not show signs, so in can stay late within horse and if the horse becomes stressed it might then develop disease.”

Equine Herpes Virus can appear in three ways including a respiratory disease usually in young horses, abortions in pregnant mares and a neurological disease which was found in the Michigan horses.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is encouraging horse owners to vaccinate for the disease. Frank says, “We do recommend that horse stay on a vaccination protocol according to their veterinarian’s recommendations.”

Frank also says practicing good biosecurity between horses will reduce exposure to the virus.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88009030/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Equine-Herpes-confirmed-in-Michigan/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150330_NFrankEquineHerpes.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/economic-impact-avian-flu-minnesota/Economic impact of avian flu in Minnesotahttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88005773/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Economic-impact-of-avian-flu-in-Minnesota/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88005773/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Economic-impact-of-avian-flu-in-Minnesota/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 13:53:23 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125105A third case of avian flu was confirmed in Minnesota over the weekend. Steve Olson, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, tells Brownfield the economic impact of the virus industry-wide has been minimal, but for those infected farms it’s had a huge impact, “The farmer already has a lot of money invested in... Read more »

A third case of avian flu was confirmed in Minnesota over the weekend. Steve Olson, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, tells Brownfield the economic impact of the virus industry-wide has been minimal, but for those infected farms it’s had a huge impact, “The farmer already has a lot of money invested in purchasing the birds and then feeding them. Especially when they get older and closer to market, there’s a lot of money invested in that. So we’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

State and federal officials are working to quarantine the infected sites in Pope, Lac Qua Parle (LACK kwah parl) and Stearns Counties.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88005773/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Economic-impact-of-avian-flu-in-Minnesota/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/31/brownfield-michigan-rolls-nicole-heslip-anchorreporter/Brownfield Michigan rolls out with Nicole Heslip as Anchor/Reporterhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88005318/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Brownfield-Michigan-rolls-out-with-Nicole-Heslip-as-AnchorReporter/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88005318/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Brownfield-Michigan-rolls-out-with-Nicole-Heslip-as-AnchorReporter/#respondTue, 31 Mar 2015 13:48:15 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125106Brownfield, Ag News for America, is pleased to announce Nicole Heslip is the Anchor/Reporter of Michigan Brownfield, the former Michigan Farm Radio Network. Nicole lives in Michigan and will provide on-the-ground coverage of Michigan agriculture as the new programming was introduced by affiliate radio stations across the state on Monday, March 30, 2015. “We are excited... Read more »

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Brownfield, Ag News for America, is pleased to announce Nicole Heslip is the Anchor/Reporter of Michigan Brownfield, the former Michigan Farm Radio Network. Nicole lives in Michigan and will provide on-the-ground coverage of Michigan agriculture as the new programming was introduced by affiliate radio stations across the state on Monday, March 30, 2015.

“We are excited to have Nicole heading up Brownfield’s coverage of Michigan agriculture,” said Cyndi Young, Ag Operations Director for Brownfield. “She recognizes and embraces the diversity of agriculture in the state. Her passion and knowledge of the industry is inspiring.”

Rooted in agriculture, Nicole grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Southwest Michigan.

She is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she majored in Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications, specializing in Agri-Business Management and Public Relations. Nicole is a past FFA State Officer, former Michigan Dairy Ambassador and National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Officer.

Nicole was recently honored as the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting Horizon Award Winner. She sits on the Michigan Agriculture and Environmental Assurance (MAEAP) Communications Workgroup and blogs for the Michigan Ag Council.

Nicole is looking forward to providing on-the-ground coverage of agriculture in Michigan. She will be backed by an award winning team of ten agricultural journalists, all Broadcast Council members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, along with an ag meteorologist, Washington D.C. policy analyst and two market analysts.

Brownfield has partnerships with 23 affiliate radio stations in Michigan. A grand total of more than 380 affiliate radio stations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, South Dakota and Colorado carry Brownfield programming. In addition to giving more listeners the opportunity to hear Brownfield programs, this increase in coverage area provides even greater marketing opportunities for advertising partners.

In addition to the radio network, Brownfield includes BrownfieldAgNews.com, the free daily e-mail newsletter Agriculture Today, and the Brownfield Mobile application.

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Stan Smith, Extension educator in Fairfield County Ohio says as pastures and small grain field begin to green up comes the increased risk of grass tetany. Smith says the best way to deal with grass tetany is through prevention.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/88003853/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Preventing-grass-tetany/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/033115_StanSmith_grass_tetany.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/beware-beans-beans/Beware of beans after beanshttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87961543/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Beware-of-beans-after-beans/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87961543/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Beware-of-beans-after-beans/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 21:28:30 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125093A soybean specialist says if growers don’t have to, they should NOT plant soybeans after soybeans. Bill Weibold with the University of Missouri Extension says the temptation to do that is real because of the projected higher prices for beans and the lower prices for corn. But, he tells Brownfield, there will be a price... Read more »

A soybean specialist says if growers don’t have to, they should NOT plant soybeans after soybeans. Bill Weibold with the University of Missouri Extension says the temptation to do that is real because of the projected higher prices for beans and the lower prices for corn. But, he tells Brownfield, there will be a price to pay, “They can make the decision to do soybean after soybean but realize that the yield potential is going to be less. So that ought to be calculated into the economics.”

Weibold says not just yield – but disease pressure and soil erosion – are other risks of planting second-year beans, “It may not be noticeable the first year but surely if we do this too often, both diseases and erosion will increase.”

He says Missouri is unlike other Midwestern states because soybeans outnumber corn acres – mainly because of some less-corn-friendly soils, “And, those soils, in the northeast part of the state, in fact, do have a clay pan under them and they struggle with corn and that’s where you see your highest ratio of soybean to corn acres.”

If growers have thinner soils – planting beans after beans, he says, will require better management, “Make sure you have the right variety. You may want to think about having cover crops in that field. And, make sure that you monitor the field so that erosion doesn’t get to be a problem, diseases don’t get to be a problem. And, so, you know, careful stewardship of that field will be important.”

He suggests scouting often for Soybean Cyst Nemotode (SCN) and other diseases and avoid doing second-year soybeans on sloped land.

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A proponent of labeling genetically modified food ingredients says state-by-state initiatives are the result of fears that U.S. lawmakers will not create the labeling system that food activists want. Food movement leader Michael Dimock tells Brownfield Ag News the state-sponsored efforts may be a preview of what will eventually be nationwide labeling.

“I think in the United States, you see a lot of times that change comes state-by-state first. It actually begins in communities, moves up to states and then it goes to the federal level,” said Dimock, during an interview with Brownfield Ag News in Phoenix, Arizona. “This may be one of those battles too, I don’t know.”

Dimock, president of an organization called Roots of Change, says labeling is necessary to build food system transparency.

“We are big proponents of labeling,” said Dimock. “We think labeling is part of the principle that we think should exist in the food system, which is complete transparency, so that we can build trust among consumers, farmers, governments [and] science, and therefore we are for labeling.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Charles Arntzen, founder of Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, says it’s more than just a product label that will add expense to labeled foods.

“Everything that’s talked about, that’s layering something additional on top, where you need to have some identification from [the] field to [the] bag of chips, somebody’s got to pay for it,” said Arntzen, “and it will the consumer.”

The two spoke at the United Soybean Board-sponsored Biotech University Friday at Arizona State University. The event gave college students from around the nation insights into news coverage of biotechnology issues.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87961246/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Discussion-spotlights-reasons-for-against-labeling-GMOs/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150327_GMO_LabelingDebatBTU_CUT.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/winter-tough-indianas-peach-crop/Winter tough on Indiana’s peach crophttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87960410/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Winter-tough-on-Indianas-peach-crop/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87960410/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Winter-tough-on-Indianas-peach-crop/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 21:10:45 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125080Indiana may only grow around 500 acres of peach trees throughout the state, but Peter Hirst, Purdue Extension fruit tree specialist says the crop is valuable. He says the harsh weather in February took a toll on the peach buds in the southern part of the state. “For many of our fruit crops they were... Read more »

Indiana may only grow around 500 acres of peach trees throughout the state, but Peter Hirst, Purdue Extension fruit tree specialist says the crop is valuable.

He says the harsh weather in February took a toll on the peach buds in the southern part of the state. “For many of our fruit crops they were able to handle some of those cold winter temperatures,” he says. “But sensitive crops, such as peaches, can’t handle so much cold. In the northern part of the state I expect them to be fine and in the southern part I expect to see some crop loss because of those cold conditions.”

As for the state’s other fruit crops – Hirst says the apples look great. “Apples are much more tolerant to the cold than sensitive crops like peaches,” he says. “Right now apple crops are looking good. But we’re early in the spring and a lot can still happen.”

He says fruit growers are hoping the weather stays cooler for the next couple of weeks to delay crop development.

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The Index of Prices Paid to Farmers increased 3.1 percent in February from January. Producers received higher prices for eggs, tomatoes, oranges and hay, lower prices for cattle, hogs, broilers and lettuce.

The overall Crop Index increased 2.4 percent from January. Corn slipped 2 cents to average $3.79 per bushel, soybeans decreased 38 cents to $9.92, all-wheat was 35 cents lower at $5.89 per bushel while all-hay was up $3 at $155 per ton. Sorghum grain was up 46 cents at $7.86 per ton.

The Livestock Index declined 4.2 percent in February. Beef cattle were down $5 at $159 per hundredweight. Hogs were down $7 at $50.40 per hundredweight. Broilers slipped 6 cents to 54 cents per pound, turkeys increased 0.7 cents to average 66.9 cents per pound and eggs increased 34 cents to $1.41 per dozen.

The February all-milk price fell 80 cents to average $16.80 per hundredweight. That is $8.10 below February of last year. The February all-milk price ranged from $21.20 in Florida to $14.72 in California. Florida also tied Virginia for the biggest price drop from January down $1.40. The February milk-to-feed ratio is 2.02 compared to 2.09 in January and 2.59 a year ago. The milk-to-feed ratio is the number of pounds of 16% mixed dairy feed equal to the price of a pound of milk.

Compared to February of 2014: the prices received by farmers are up 6.5 percent while prices paid are unchanged.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87960518/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~A-little-more-profitable-on-the-farm-in-February/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/wheat-support-weather-commercial-buying/Wheat support by weather, commercial buyinghttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87960282/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Wheat-support-by-weather-commercial-buying/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87960282/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Wheat-support-by-weather-commercial-buying/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 21:05:49 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125083 Soybeans were firm on spillover from corn and wheat, along with technical buying. Traders were getting ready for Tuesday’s USDA prospective planting and quarterly stocks numbers. Acreage should be up on the year, while stocks are expected to show strong demand. Even if supplies are above a year ago, it was a function of... Read more »

Soybeans were firm on spillover from corn and wheat, along with technical buying. Traders were getting ready for Tuesday’s USDA prospective planting and quarterly stocks numbers. Acreage should be up on the year, while stocks are expected to show strong demand. Even if supplies are above a year ago, it was a function of harvest size, not slow demand. Soybean meal was higher and bean oil was lower.

Corn was modestly higher on short covering and technical buying, in addition to the strength in wheat. Corn was also getting ready for the reports, which could show lower acreage and solid demand. Past that – unknown destinations picked up 131,172 tons of old crop U.S. corn. Corn’s also keeping an eye on fieldwork delays around the Southeastern Cornbelt. Ethanol futures were higher.

The wheat complex was higher on short covering and commercial buying. There are continued development concerns for the U.S. winter wheat crop. Parts of the soft red winter growing region are too wet and large portions of the hard red winter area are too dry. In any event, Tuesday’s USDA numbers should be neutral to bearish, with neutral acreage and a large supply. Israel is tendering for 45,000 tons of U.S. feed wheat and Jordan is in the market for 100,000 tons of optional origin milling wheat.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87960282/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Wheat-support-by-weather-commercial-buying/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/solid-start-week-cheese/Solid start to the week for cheesehttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87959936/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Solid-start-to-the-week-for-cheese/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87959936/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Solid-start-to-the-week-for-cheese/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 21:05:04 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125081Cash cheese nudged a little higher on Monday with both barrels and blocks closing at $1.565 per pound. Class III futures with some solid gains as indications are we are at the low for milk prices for this year. The March Class III contract is at $15.52, April is at $15.58, July is over $16... Read more »

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Cash cheese nudged a little higher on Monday with both barrels and blocks closing at $1.565 per pound. Class III futures with some solid gains as indications are we are at the low for milk prices for this year. The March Class III contract is at $15.52, April is at $15.58, July is over $16 and September through January ’16 contracts are over $17.

There is a lot of speculation as to how European producers will respond when the EU quotas expire tomorrow night. Some think countries like Ireland are ready to increase milk production significantly while others say the economics are just not there for expansion right now. One transition all seem to agree on is the number of farmers will decline as the average herd size increases across Europe.

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 18 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), and Tillamook County Creamery Association who have contracts to sell 3.976 million pounds of Cheddar, Gouda, and Monterey Jack cheese and 121,254 pounds of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East, and Central America. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from March through September 2015.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 23.437 million pounds of cheese and 24.333 million pounds of butter to 22 countries on five continents.

The February all-milk price fell 80 cents to average $16.80 per hundredweight. That is $8.10 below February of last year. The February all-milk price ranged from $21.20 in Florida to $14.72 in California. Florida also tied Virginia for the biggest price drop from January down $1.40.

Brownfield states (compared to January)

Illinois $17.70 (-$1.00)

Indiana $17.10 (-$1.00)

Iowa $17.10 (-.30)

Michigan $16.60 (-$1.00)

Minnesota $17.70 (-.60)

Ohio $17.80 (-.90)

South Dakota $18.50 (-.40)

Wisconsin $17.70 (-.70)

The February milk-to-feed ratio is 2.02 compared to 2.09 in January and 2.59 a year ago. The milk-to-feed ratio is the number of pounds of 16% mixed dairy feed equal to the price of a pound of milk.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87959936/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Solid-start-to-the-week-for-cheese/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/cattle-showlists-generally-steady/Cattle showlists are generally steadyhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87958803/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Cattle-showlists-are-generally-steady/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87958803/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Cattle-showlists-are-generally-steady/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 20:35:51 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125078The cattle market was not established on Monday afternoon with bids and asking prices poorly defined. New showlists appear to be mixed but generally steady with last week. A few showlists have been priced around 167.00 to 168.00 in the South and 266.00 to 268.00 in the North. The kill totaled 109,000 head, 5,000 more... Read more »

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The cattle market was not established on Monday afternoon with bids and asking prices poorly defined. New showlists appear to be mixed but generally steady with last week. A few showlists have been priced around 167.00 to 168.00 in the South and 266.00 to 268.00 in the North. The kill totaled 109,000 head, 5,000 more than last week, but 7,000 below last year.

Boxed beef cutout values were higher on moderate demand and light offerings. Choice beef was up .90 at 251.70 and select was .91 higher at 247.62.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle contracts settled unchanged to 37 points higher. The initial buyer support in the live cattle complex turned into a moderate selloff due to pressure in the feeder cattle complex. Support came from significantly higher boxed beef values at midday. April was down .12 at 162.50 and June was unchanged at 152.97.

Feeder cattle ended the session mostly lower. The initial buyer interest was quickly offset by aggressive selling pressure however futures did rebound off the day’s lows. April settled .65 lower at 218.60, and May was down .67 at 217.45.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Joplin Regional Stockyards totaled 5,000 head on Monday. Compared to last week, steer and heifer calves were steady to 5.00 higher. Yearling steers were 2.00 to 3.00 higher, yearling heifers trended steady on a limited test. The demand was good on a moderate supply. 500 to 600 pound feeder steers averaged 266.50 to 295.00. 5 to 6 weight heifers averaged 229.00 to 259.00.

Lean hogs settled 2 to 182 points higher. There was moderate buyer support across the complex. There was moderate pressure in the nearby contracts while deferred issues remained solidly rooted. Traders continued to adjust positions following Friday’s hogs and pigs report, while the focus in nearby contracts once again moved back to abundant supplies of hogs near term. April up .17 at 61.30, and May was up .02 at 68.20.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade closed .74 higher at 56.62 weighted average on a carcass basis, the West was up .61 at 56.44, and the East was not reported due to confidentiality. Missouri direct base carcass meat price was steady to 1.00 lower from 50.00 to 53.00. Midwest hogs on a live basis were steady to 1.00 to 2.00 lower 33.00 to 42.00.

The pork carcass cutout value FOB plant was .04 higher at 65.39.

The March 1 hogs and pigs report released late last week confirmed smaller than expected herd expansion with the kept for breeding total only 2% greater than last year versus an average trade guess of up 3.5%. Furthermore, the winter pig crop turned out to be slightly smaller than expected. Finally, spring and summer farrowing intentions were all officially estimated below average trade ideas especially relative to June through August.

The Monday hog kill was estimated at 435,000 head, 1,000 more than last week, and 38,000 greater than last year.

The ERS predicts that grocery store prices (food-at-home) will see normal to slightly-lower-than-average food price inflation, increasing 2-to-3 percent this year. It says beef and veal prices “will likely continue to experience the effects of the Texas/Oklahoma drought, as farmers’ decisions on calving and herd sizes are felt down the line due to the 6- to 18-month production process.”

Also, it says, the effects of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) on the hog industry will be transmitted to meat prices in the immediate future. That forecast is based on an assumption of normal weather conditions.

And the ongoing drought in California, the report says, “could have large and lasting effects on fruit, vegetable, dairy, and egg prices.”

But, if oil prices keep falling or remain low in 2015, resulting decreases in production and transportation costs “may be passed on to the retail level” which could help offset some of those increases.

The Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee continues to invest in research projects at Michigan State University. Special Projects Coordinator Keith Reinholt tells Brownfield the research efforts help keep Michigan soybean growers competitive.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87956515/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Soybean-checkoff-supports-research-efforts/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150330_KReinholtSoyResearch.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/americas-farmers-grow-rural-education-2/America’s Farmers Grow Rural Educationhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87954005/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~America%e2%80%99s-Farmers-Grow-Rural-Education/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87954005/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~America%e2%80%99s-Farmers-Grow-Rural-Education/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 18:54:04 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125064Farmers have an opportunity to nominate their local school district to apply for a grant to help build their school’s math and science programs. Since 2011 the Monsanto Fund has awarded over $7 million dollars through the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program. Heather Wolfe, Customer Advocacy Manager at Monsanto says funds are used in... Read more »

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Farmers have an opportunity to nominate their local school district to apply for a grant to help build their school’s math and science programs.

Since 2011 the Monsanto Fund has awarded over $7 million dollars through the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program. Heather Wolfe, Customer Advocacy Manager at Monsanto says funds are used in a variety of ways, including upgrading technology in the classroom.

“We’ve also had a lot of our dollars go towards greenhouses and outdoor learning environments, those are great ways to obviously get students involved in hands-on projects,” Wolfe said. “And we’ve had a lot of money go to teacher and curriculum development.”

The deadline for farmers to nominate their local school district is April 1. Information is available here.

Illinois –in 2014 there were 14 winners, 12 were $10,000 winners and two were $25,000 winners for a total of $170,000 going back to Illinois to help keep rural schools growing.

Indiana – in 2014 there were seven winning school districts, four were $10,000 winners, and three were $25,000 winners for a total of $115,000 going back to Indiana.

Iowa – in 2014 there were 11 winners, nine were $10,000 winners and two were $25,000 winners for a total of $140,000 going back to Iowa to help keep rural schools growing.

Michigan – in 2014 there 6 winning school districts, four $10,000 winners and two $25,000 winners for a total of $90,000 going back to Michigan to help fund math and science initiatives.

Minnesota – there were nine winning school districts in Minnesota, six were $10,000 winners and three were $25,000 winners for a total of $135,000 going to students in Minnesota.

Missouri – in 2014 there we 14 winners, 12 $10,000 winners and two were $25,000 winners for a total of $170,000 going to Missouri to help enhance math and science in rural school districts.

Nebraska – there were 11 winners in 2014, seven were $10,000 winners and four were $25,000 winners for a total of $170,000 going back to Nebraska to help students with Math and Science.

Ohio – in 2014 there were 8 winning school districts, five $10,000 winners, and three $25,000 winners for a total of $125,000 going back to Ohio to keep rural schools growing.

South Dakota – in 2014 there were five winning school districts, four were $10,000 winners and one was a $25,000 winner for a total of $65,000 going to South Dakota to help with Math and Science.

Wisconsin – in 2014 there were eight winning school districts, six were $10,000 winners and two were $25,000 winners for a total of $110,000 going back to students in Wisconsin to help enhance math and science curriculum.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87954005/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~America%e2%80%99s-Farmers-Grow-Rural-Education/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/HeatherWolfe_Monsanto_Grow_Rural_Education.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/big-data-addresses-climate-variability/Big data addresses climate variabilityhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87952975/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Big-data-addresses-climate-variability/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87952975/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Big-data-addresses-climate-variability/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 18:33:31 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125045Big data research is meant to help farmers adapt to climate variability and improve sustainability. Lead scientist Bruno Basso at Michigan State University says the project he’s involved in will implement models that predict field conditions in current and future climates. “The goal really is to help producers understand the information that they have collecting... Read more »

Big data research is meant to help farmers adapt to climate variability and improve sustainability. Lead scientist Bruno Basso at Michigan State University says the project he’s involved in will implement models that predict field conditions in current and future climates.

“The goal really is to help producers understand the information that they have collecting over time, mainly yield mapping.” According to Basso, “things that really go under the category of big data.”

Basso says the research will integrate climate smart technologies to be more efficient. The multi-state effort includes aspects of economics, water trading and policies, as well as monitoring greenhouse gas emissions.

Over the next five years, the project will consist of field experiments and developing new technologies for farmers to increase water and nutrient use efficacy.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87952975/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Big-data-addresses-climate-variability/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150330_BBassoBigData.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/pork-donated-mid-ohio-foodbank/Pork donated to Mid-Ohio Foodbankhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87950617/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Pork-donated-to-MidOhio-Foodbank/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87950617/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Pork-donated-to-MidOhio-Foodbank/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 17:52:54 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125059Just in time for the Easter holiday, farmers in Ohio have made a big donation to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Over 8,000 pounds of lean ground pork will provide nearly 42,000 meals to hungry families in central and eastern Ohio. “Recognizing that agriculture is the state’s number one industry, it is important that we continue to... Read more »

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Just in time for the Easter holiday, farmers in Ohio have made a big donation to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Over 8,000 pounds of lean ground pork will provide nearly 42,000 meals to hungry families in central and eastern Ohio.

“Recognizing that agriculture is the state’s number one industry, it is important that we continue to collaborate to find ways to connect these fresh, local, nourishing foods to neighbors struggling to make ends meet,” said Matt Habash, president and CEO of Mid-Ohio Foodbank, “With collective action across Ohio’s top industries, we truly have a chance to end hunger.”

Partnering with the Ohio Pork Council in the donation were the Ohio Association of Meat Processors, Ohio Corn Marketing Program and other Ohio businesses.

“Ohio farmers, though the support of the Ohio Pork Council and partnering organizations, are proud to work with Congresswoman Beatty and Mid-Ohio Foodbank to help provide valuable, much-needed, protein to our neighbors in need,” said Jim Heimerl, OPC representative and Johnstown, OH farmer.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87950617/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Pork-donated-to-MidOhio-Foodbank/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/midday-cash-livestock-markets-179/Midday cash livestock marketshttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87947912/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Midday-cash-livestock-markets/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87947912/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Midday-cash-livestock-markets/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 17:10:20 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125057Cattle country is quiet today, with both buyers and sellers busy taking inventory. Bids and asking prices have yet to be established. Last week’s trade didn’t take place until Friday afternoon, but it turned out to be worth the weight with Southern live business generally $2.00 higher at 165.00 and Northern dressed business from mostly... Read more »

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Cattle country is quiet today, with both buyers and sellers busy taking inventory. Bids and asking prices have yet to be established. Last week’s trade didn’t take place until Friday afternoon, but it turned out to be worth the weight with Southern live business generally $2.00 higher at 165.00 and Northern dressed business from mostly 262.00 to 263.00, $2.00 to 3.00 higher than last week.

Choice boxed beef is up 1.70 at 252.50, select is 2.57 higher at 249.28

Feeder cattle receipts at the Joplin Regional Stockyards totaled 5,000 head on Monday. Compared to last week, steer and heifer calves were steady to 5.00 higher. Yearling steers were 2.00 to 3.00 higher, yearling heifers trended steady on a limited test. The demand was good on a moderate supply. 500 to 600 pound feeder steers averaged 266.50 to 295.00. 5 to 6 weight heifers averaged 229.00 to 259.00.

Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade are 2.42 lower at 53.46, the West is down 2.56 at 53.27. The east and national reports are not available due to confidentiality. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is steady to 1.00 lower from 51.00 to 53.00. Midwest hogs on a live basis are steady to 1.00 lower from 33.00 to 44.00.

The pork cutout value is .30 higher at 65.65 FOB plant. Only bellies are lower.

The March 1 hogs and pigs report released late last week confirmed smaller than expected herd expansion with the kept for breeding total only 2% greater than last year versus an average trade guess of up 3.5%. Furthermore, the winter pig crop turned out to be slightly smaller than expected. Finally, spring and summer farrowing intentions were all officially estimated below average trade ideas especially relative to June through August.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87947912/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Midday-cash-livestock-markets/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/soybean-inspections-week-year-3/Soybean inspections up on week, yearhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87942676/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Soybean-inspections-up-on-week-year/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87942676/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Soybean-inspections-up-on-week-year/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 15:34:25 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125040USDA reports corn and soybean export inspections remain ahead of what’s needed weekly to meet projections for the 2014/15 marketing year. For the week ending March 26, wheat inspections are 322,016 tons, down 221,671 from the week ending March 19 and 185,444 lower than the week ending March 27, 2014. At this point in the... Read more »

For the week ending March 26, wheat inspections are 322,016 tons, down 221,671 from the week ending March 19 and 185,444 lower than the week ending March 27, 2014. At this point in the 2014/15 marketing year, wheat inspections are 18,760,396 tons, compared to 25,928,515 in 2013/14.

Corn was reported at 762,276 tons, 232,439 less than the previous week and 572,753 below this time last year. For the marketing year to date, corn inspections are 22,259,704 tons, compared to 22,411,102 a year ago.

Soybeans were pegged at 655,720 tons, up 135,179 from the prior week and 148,187 higher than last year. So far this marketing year, soybean inspections are 44,320,167 tons, compared to 40,167,352 a year ago.

Sorghum inspections came out at 172,591 tons, a decrease of 67,522 on the week, but an increase of 26,994 on the week. 2014/15 sorghum inspections are 5,583,728 tons, compared to 2,303,241 in 2013/14.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87942676/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Soybean-inspections-up-on-week-year/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/wide-range-weather-temps-across-heartland/Wide-range of weather, temps across the Heartlandhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938919/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Widerange-of-weather-temps-across-the-Heartland/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938919/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Widerange-of-weather-temps-across-the-Heartland/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 14:28:03 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125030During the next several days, above-normal temperatures will gradually shift eastward, although record-setting warmth will persist across the central U.S. through mid-week. Late in the week, cooler weather will arrive from the Pacific Coast into the Midwest, while warmth will spread across the South. Meanwhile, a rather disorganized precipitation pattern will become more cohesive toward... Read more »

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During the next several days, above-normal temperatures will gradually shift eastward, although record-setting warmth will persist across the central U.S. through mid-week. Late in the week, cooler weather will arrive from the Pacific Coast into the Midwest, while warmth will spread across the South. Meanwhile, a rather disorganized precipitation pattern will become more cohesive toward week’s end, with the development of a storm system across the south-central U.S. As a result, 5-day precipitation totals could reach 1 to 2 inches or more from the mid-South into the Ohio Valley and parts of the Southeast. Similar totals can be expected in the Pacific Northwest. In contrast, dry weather will prevail for the remainder of the week from California into the Southwest.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for below-normal temperatures across the nation’s northern tier, while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail across the South. Meanwhile, below-normal precipitation across Florida’s peninsula and from southern California to the central and southern High Plains will contrast with wetter-than-normal weather in the Northwest and in most areas from the Mississippi River to the East Coast.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938919/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Widerange-of-weather-temps-across-the-Heartland/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/brownfield-minnesota-rolls-mark-dorenkamp-anchorreporter/Brownfield Minnesota rolls out with Mark Dorenkamp as Anchor/Reporterhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938757/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Brownfield-Minnesota-rolls-out-with-Mark-Dorenkamp-as-AnchorReporter/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938757/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Brownfield-Minnesota-rolls-out-with-Mark-Dorenkamp-as-AnchorReporter/#commentsMon, 30 Mar 2015 14:22:25 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125027Brownfield, Ag News for America, is pleased to announce Farm Broadcaster Mark Dorenkamp has joined the Brownfield team. He takes over the helm as Anchor/Reporter of Minnesota Brownfield when the programming is introduced by affiliate radio stations across the state on Monday, March 30, 2015. Brownfield Minnesota replaces former Minnesota Farm Network programming. “It is... Read more »

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Brownfield, Ag News for America, is pleased to announce Farm Broadcaster Mark Dorenkamp has joined the Brownfield team. He takes over the helm as Anchor/Reporter of Minnesota Brownfield when the programming is introduced by affiliate radio stations across the state on Monday, March 30, 2015. Brownfield Minnesota replaces former Minnesota Farm Network programming.

“It is a great pleasure to introduce veteran agricultural communicator Mark Dorenkamp as the Anchor/Reporter for Minnesota Brownfield,” said Cyndi Young, Ag Operations Director for Brownfield. “His uncompromising level of integrity, passion for the agriculture industry and understanding of the people who are the backbone of the industry make him a true asset to the Brownfield team.”

Mark grew up in a small town in north central Iowa. The family bin site on the south edge of Rowan is where he spent countless hours tagging along with his Dad, sitting in the cab of their John Deere 4840 pretending to haul a load of corn or soybeans to the scale before unloading.

In 2006, Mark became Farm Director at a station in north Iowa and the love affair he had with farming as a boy started all over again. As a farm broadcaster Mark has won Iowa Broadcast News Association awards and in 2012 was awarded 2nd place in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Market-cast category. Mark has been honored by Iowa State University Extension for his support of their programs, served on area agribusiness committees and recently served on the Iowa FFA Foundation Board of Directors. Mark and his wife Melissa and two sons, Gavin and Hudson will reside in southern Minnesota.

Mark Dorenkamp is looking forward to providing on-the-ground coverage of agriculture in Minnesota. He will be backed by an award winning team of ten agricultural journalists, all Broadcast Council members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, along with an ag meteorologist, Washington D.C. policy analyst and two market analysts.

Brownfield has partnerships with 36 affiliate radio stations in Minnesota. A grand total of more than 380 affiliate radio stations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, South Dakota and Colorado carry Brownfield programming. In addition to giving more listeners the opportunity to hear Brownfield programs, this increase in coverage area provides even greater marketing opportunities for advertising partners.

In addition to the radio network, Brownfield includes BrownfieldAgNews.com, the free daily e-mail newsletter Agriculture Today, and the Brownfield Mobile application.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938757/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Brownfield-Minnesota-rolls-out-with-Mark-Dorenkamp-as-AnchorReporter/feed/1http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/early-season-heat-parts-high-plains/Early-season heat on parts of the High Plainshttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938920/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Earlyseason-heat-on-parts-of-the-High-Plains/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938920/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Earlyseason-heat-on-parts-of-the-High-Plains/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 14:20:30 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125028Across the Corn Belt, dry weather prevails in the wake of a departing cold front. However, chilly, breezy conditions in the eastern Corn Belt contrast with above-normal temperatures west of the Mississippi River. On the Plains, very warm, dry weather is promoting spring fieldwork and rapid winter wheat development. Monday’s high temperatures will approach 90°... Read more »

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Across the Corn Belt, dry weather prevails in the wake of a departing cold front. However, chilly, breezy conditions in the eastern Corn Belt contrast with above-normal temperatures west of the Mississippi River.

On the Plains, very warm, dry weather is promoting spring fieldwork and rapid winter wheat development. Monday’s high temperatures will approach 90° as far north as the central High Plains.

In the South, rain in the vicinity of a cold front stretches from Virginia to Mississippi. Northeast of a line from northeastern Mississippi to central Georgia, producers are monitoring the effects of a weekend cold snap on fruit crops and other sensitive vegetation. On March 29, low temperatures dipped to 27° in Huntsville, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia.

In the West, dry weather accompanies record-setting warmth. Monday’s high temperatures will again approach 100° in the Desert Southwest, favoring fieldwork but boosting irrigation demands.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87938920/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Earlyseason-heat-on-parts-of-the-High-Plains/feed/0http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/30/usda-corn-acreage-estimate-will-make-market-picture-clearer/USDA corn acreage estimate will make market picture clearerhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87926779/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~USDA-corn-acreage-estimate-will-make-market-picture-clearer/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87926779/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~USDA-corn-acreage-estimate-will-make-market-picture-clearer/#respondMon, 30 Mar 2015 09:00:47 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125024The next few years may mark a change in the fortunes of U.S. corn growers. Rabo AgriFinance grains analyst Steve Nicholson says corn growers will have a tough time in the next two to three years. To what degree hinges on how much corn is to be planted this coming season, which should be known... Read more »

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The next few years may mark a change in the fortunes of U.S. corn growers. Rabo AgriFinance grains analyst Steve Nicholson says corn growers will have a tough time in the next two to three years. To what degree hinges on how much corn is to be planted this coming season, which should be known following the acreage estimate by the USDA to be released this week. Another factor determining the price of corn is that a significant part of the 2014 harvest is still in farmers’ hands.

On Saturday in Nanchang, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) trade delegation met with Yuan Ji Hong, procurement center general manager with Twins Group, the largest producer of swine feed in China.

Yuan Ji Hong confirmed what was heard during previous feed company visits—that pork production in southern China has “flattened out” in recent months and may be entering a period of decline. The question is whether this is simply part of a normal production cycle or if it represents a larger long-term shift in Chinese eating habits towards less pork and more fish and poultry.

While that information could mean a slowdown in China’s torrid soybean purchasing pace, ISA director Grant Kimberley cautioned that China officials do have a tendency to underestimate their pork production and feed usage figures.

We asked mission participant Wayne Fredericks, a farmer from Osage, Iowa and president-elect of ISA, for his thoughts on what he’s heard about China’s swine feeding situation and what it might mean to Iowa soybean growers.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87846121/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Chinese-feed-officials-foresee-swine-slowdown/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fredericks-wayne-china.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/28/solution-huge-problem-cattle-producers/Fescue fix for “Huge problem” for cattle producershttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87830370/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Fescue-fix-for-Huge-problem-for-cattle-producers/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87830370/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Fescue-fix-for-Huge-problem-for-cattle-producers/#respondSat, 28 Mar 2015 19:49:49 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=124977Missouri is one of many states where toxic fescue has taken a bite out of the beef industry. University of Missouri Extension Forage Specialist Craig Roberts says farmers need to replace Kentucky-31, or K-31 tall fescue with non-toxic fescue, “It’s the most serious and devastating forage livestock disorder in the United States.” The so-called “Fescue... Read more »

Missouri is one of many states where toxic fescue has taken a bite out of the beef industry. University of Missouri Extension Forage Specialist Craig Roberts says farmers need to replace Kentucky-31, or K-31 tall fescue with non-toxic fescue, “It’s the most serious and devastating forage livestock disorder in the United States.”

The so-called “Fescue Belt” includes Missouri, southern Iowa, Northern Arkansas, and states East of there. Roberts tells Brownfield the solution – replacing toxic fescue with novel endophyte, non-toxic fescue, has been a long time in coming…

“The technology has been sitting on the shelf for at least 10 years. And, it wasn’t until we put together these multi-stakeholder company, government, university-driven workshops that we actually had a convincing delivery method. And, we have that now.”

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Van Hargis of Victoria, Texas, has been training horses for money since he was 12, but he says he’s learned a lot since then. It’s paid off. Hargis is in high demand as a clinician. He tells Brownfield Ag News that when he’s in front of people, he thinks of himself as a horse clinician with a message. He’s reminded of a radio interview some time ago when he was asked to expand on being a horse trainer with a message.

He’s taken that further in recent years. He seeks out analogies that will help him communicate to people to break big horse problems into little, manageable problems.

Hargis will be part of the Iowa Horse Fair in Des Moines April 10, 11 and 12. He’s doing clinics each of those three days.

ISA president Tom Oswald (center) and ISA-president elect Wayne Fredericks (right) met with an official of New Hope Group, the largest feed producer in China.

In this, the fourth in our series of Brownfield Network news reports with the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) trade mission in southern China, ISA president Tom Oswald talks about the importance of trade missions such as this.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87795508/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~ISA-president-on-the-importance-of-trade-missions/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/KA-wrap-oswald-perspective-china-150326.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/28/agriculture-southern-china/Agriculture in southern Chinahttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87794621/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Agriculture-in-southern-China/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87794621/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Agriculture-in-southern-China/#respondSat, 28 Mar 2015 07:20:58 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125010On Friday, the Iowa Soybean Association trade mission headed southeast, traveling from Yichang to Nanchang by high-speed train at speeds up to 120 miles per hour. Traveling through the countryside, we saw many different kinds of crops being produced. A lot of rapeseed (canola), also rice, wheat and vegetables. Most of the crops are grown... Read more »

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On Friday, the Iowa Soybean Association trade mission headed southeast, traveling from Yichang to Nanchang by high-speed train at speeds up to 120 miles per hour.

Traveling through the countryside, we saw many different kinds of crops being produced. A lot of rapeseed (canola), also rice, wheat and vegetables. Most of the crops are grown in an area of one acre or less. No arable patch of land is wasted. We saw very few animals, just a few pigs, ducks, sheep and water buffalo, but we also know there are areas where livestock production is a bigger part of the agricultural picture.

There’s no farm equipment to be seen, it appears most crops are planted, maintained and harvested by hand. We’re told agriculture is more modern in northern China, but this southern section is still dominated by small farms.

China still has 500-million people who are classified as farmers. Reports are that the government aims to move another 100-million of those people from rural to urban areas by 2020.

During our train ride from Chengdu to Chongqing earlier in the week, we visited with Grant Kimberley, market development director for ISA, about Chinese agriculture and the changing demographics of the China’s population.

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http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87794621/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Agriculture-in-southern-China/feed/0http://cdn.brownfieldagnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/kimberley-grant-audio-china-ag-3-15.mp3http://brownfieldagnews.com/2015/03/27/minnesota-farm-credit-bank-gives-back/Minnesota farm credit bank gives backhttp://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87771657/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Minnesota-farm-credit-bank-gives-back/ http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/87771657/0/feedburner/brownfieldagnews~Minnesota-farm-credit-bank-gives-back/#respondFri, 27 Mar 2015 21:42:22 +0000http://brownfieldagnews.com/?p=125008St. Paul-based AgriBank announced in its annual giving report this week $2.4 million was used in 2014 to support ag education programs, assist young and beginning farmers and support rural America. CEO Bill York and Board Chair Douglas Felton in an open letter to stakeholders, said, “That starts with our business of providing a reliable... Read more »

St. Paul-based AgriBank announced in its annual giving report this week $2.4 million was used in 2014 to support ag education programs, assist young and beginning farmers and support rural America.

CEO Bill York and Board Chair Douglas Felton in an open letter to stakeholders, said, “That starts with our business of providing a reliable source of credit to American farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, rural homeowners and other eligible borrowers. It extends to supporting the rural and urban communities where we live and work.”

AgriBank, one of the largest banks in the Farm Credit system, covers a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas.